ryryoftokyo wrote:I just saw this last night, and I'm into the idea, but is there anything a bit more full featured for a similar price (between $100 and $200)? Or should I just grab this? Sampler n00b.

sp-303 or 505. no (legit) pitch on those though (if you need that feature.) but you can actually make songs on those stand-alone.

sp-505 can be had under 150 if you keep your eyes open. 303 can also be had on the cheap.

I had high hopes for this thing when I first heard about it but it really sounds like a crippled piece of kit. I think instead of this, I'm just gonna pick up an old Roland MS-1 and a couple of memory cards. That was my first sampler and I loved it at the time. Seems like it would serve a similar purpose but you can also sample directly from it and it has a decent little sequencer on it. Of course, it doesn't have those nice pads and maybe that's the whole point of the MPX8 I guess. But I'm just looking for a nice portable sampler to use as a drum module, so MS-1 it is I think.

I was considering the MPX8 too but picked up an old MS-1 for the same reasons you stated. I'm actually using compact flash cards with mine. You need a pcmcia to compact flash adapter like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCMCIA-Compact- ... 43bd80e6e4 and supposedly only older Sandisk compact flash cards will work. It works for me but with some quirks. I need to reboot after doing most tasks but it gets it done. Others have got it to work without any quirks so maybe my adapter is the problem.

I liked the idea of massive sample storage, but overall this thing is a crippled toy. Here are my main complaints:

1 - Dedicated MIDI channel 10; Why the rhythm channel!?!?!? If I'm using a old groovebox or something like that as a controller I'm essentially writing off the drum section in place of external samples.

2 - Overly sensitive velocity pads; it's either quiet or loud, not a tonne of mid.

3 - The reverb effect is painful. There is not sustain on it and I only use it to balance out volume levels on my banks.

4 - No batteries; for something marketed as portable, it's pretty lame being tethered to a 3ft power source.

5 - Long load times; basically if you have a pad or drone that is 45seconds, you have to wait 45seconds to load. Multiply that over the course of 8 pads, you will be waiting a while. Not exactly practical for live use.

6 - The headphone jack seems to pick up a lot of noise; not sure if this is a manufacture defect or common amoung all units.

7 - Zero velocity control with an external sequencer.

That's basically it, I used mine for about a month and since then it's collected dust. I wouldn't suggest this product for anyone interested in live music production, but maybe if needs something for one-off sounds as a DJ it might make sense.

Pros: Takes up to a 32GB card no problem full of samplesEasy to read screenRuns on USB Battery pack for about 8 hours (4x 2500mA Energizer rechargables)Nice responsive padsWorks as USB to Midi device and cables can be extended with headphone extensions (kickass!)Girlfriend thinks its cute

Cons:32mb Sample Ram for the entire machineSoftware is BollocksThey could have Easily put in a rechargeable battery considering how much goddamn empty space there is inside Headphone jack is noisy when on mains power (use guitar copper foiling to line inside of machine, reduces noise.)The Knob could have been placed somewhere more convenient.Manual looks like it was written by a Japanese man on google translate.

I'm just about to place an order for one of these. I had never even seen them before till this thread so thanks. This will do for me triggering one shot stabs and feed it through my Waldorf 2-Pole when i get that.Great!